The Crown Prince was the nation’s heir apparent, the next successor of this country. When this identity was confirmed, a large group of people would actively or passively stand behind the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince, in Confucian ideology, represented orthodoxy.

And now after this imperial edict was issued, orthodoxy was overthrown. He’d been Crown Prince for so many years, and moreover, his early performance had always been excellent. The people surrounding Yinreng were even more numerous. Now that he was deposed, many Crown Prince faction members feared for themselves. There were also many people submitting memorials hoping the Emperor could rescind the edict.

Correspondingly, the First Prince’s power surged greatly, his prestige also surged, for a time his glory was unmatched.

The Jia family stayed home behind closed doors, hearts uneasy. The Crown Prince was deposed—the Emperor hadn’t rescinded the edict, and some memorials that had jumped up hoping the Emperor could rescind the edict were all retained without being sent out.

From the Emperor’s attitude, there was no intention to settle accounts with those around the Crown Prince, but the First Prince didn’t think so.

There was a saying: when the wall falls, everyone pushes. Were there no people under the Crown Prince’s command who had done wrong?

There were.

Only previously, because of various reasons, they were either covered up or shelved. Now they were seized upon by people wanting to thoroughly pull the Crown Prince down from his horse, impeached one by one, wanting to purge the forces behind the Crown Prince.

Many people stood on the Crown Prince’s side. The Jia family was among them, but because the Jia family had been far from court for many years, at first few people remembered the Jia family. From this one could see the Jia family’s current status. However, correspondingly, Wang Ziteng was impeached several times, as were the other Four Princes and Eight Dukes who still had real power—all were impeached.

For a time, everyone was especially quiet. Some whose impeachments were substantiated didn’t think of pulling strings, but directly cut off the wrist to save the arm.

A bit later, the Jia family also received impeachment. Although not many people impeached the Jia family, it was enough for the Jia family to break out in cold sweat. Unable to worry about other matters, Jia She visited Lin Ruhai, hoping he could point out a clear path.

Jia Zheng also came along, with a bitter face. At this time, they couldn’t worry about face or no face.

Lin Ruhai: “You need not worry so much. If substantiated, remedy it promptly.” The Jia family wasn’t very important to the Crown Prince’s side, the errors committed weren’t serious, and with ancestral glory present, the Emperor wouldn’t be too ruthless.

However, these words needn’t be fully explained to them.

Jia She wiped the sweat from his forehead: “Brother-in-law, someone from the First Prince’s side came to send word. Right now the First Prince… has the most hope.” They were somewhat tempted but couldn’t decide.

Lin Ruhai’s brow immediately furrowed tightly: “Why do this?”

Right now the First Prince seemed powerful, but once involved, withdrawing would be difficult. Moreover, this kind of defection would be betrayal to the Crown Prince!

On one side, Lin Ruhai was talking with those two, while on the other, Wang Xifeng also sought out Lin Daiyu. She’d even brought her own son along.

With such matters occurring, she couldn’t be at ease. She also knew this cousin couldn’t decide those major matters. She came to ask her to help safeguard some silver. She presented a box: “This is my dowry emergency silver. Good younger sister, help out. If nothing happens, it’s just a false alarm. If something happens, it can be put to great use… I’m just afraid of that one-in-ten-thousand chance.”

Recently because the Crown Prince was deposed, the First Prince showed determination to obtain the next Crown Prince position. Quite a few of the Crown Prince’s people were being targeted—those guilty were settled with one by one. Wang Xifeng was frightened. The Crown Prince—how noble a person—yet deposed just like that. She’d also taken out family visiting cards, definitely using power to bully others, so she used a box to pack ten thousand taels in banknotes. If something really happened, they wouldn’t have to drink the northwest wind.

Lin Daiyu didn’t even look, pushing it back as is: “What are second sister-in-law’s words? If the Jia family really encounters something, younger sister won’t stand by with arms folded.”

Her mother’s entire dowry was left to her. When Mother married, it was the Rongguo Manor’s most prosperous time—the dowry was extremely generous. Besides the dowry Mother left her, every year Grandmother and Father would add things for her. She truly didn’t lack money.

If things really reached that step, she would help protect the Jia family’s female relatives and children. What would accepting silver now mean?

Wang Xifeng heard it clearly. Holding her son, she sighed. After giving birth to her son, her courage had truly become smaller.

She’d also been frightened by some matters, worried that if there really was that one-in-ten-thousand chance, having one more backup plan would help.

Daiyu reminded her: “Second sister-in-law, the Xue family still lives in Rongguo Manor. You must be more careful.” Wang Xifeng couldn’t help but become alert. She also knew what muddled things that cousin of hers had done. She nodded with difficulty: “Many thanks for younger sister’s reminder.” When he went out drinking too much and made trouble causing conflicts wasn’t just once or twice. She really needed to watch her cousin more strictly. At this time, the Jia family couldn’t stand out, and neither could the Xue family.

When Jia She and the others returned, seeing their expressions, Grandmother Jia guessed. As expected, from her son’s mouth she heard disapproval of defecting to the First Prince. She pondered for a while, then said: “Let’s observe first.”

The Jia family was ultimately far from court, unable to grasp the Emperor’s thoughts at the first moment. Now the Emperor was dissatisfied with the Crown Prince—what if he was also dissatisfied with the First Prince?

They needn’t wait too long—they should know soon. Moreover, if they didn’t agree, presumably the First Prince wouldn’t do anything to them.

Behind the First Prince was the Eighth Prince, and the Eighth Prince wasn’t without connections to the Jia family.

“This period is a special time. Everyone stay home and don’t go out.” She looked toward Second Madam Wang: “You handle the Xue family’s side.”

Second Madam Wang understood her meaning and nodded in agreement. She’d asked her natal family—the result was the same. They hadn’t made up their minds, telling them to restrain themselves well and talk about other matters after this storm passed.

Their family’s situation was relatively good—they had neither white matters nor happy events needing handling. Those who’d set dates to marry recently had all quietly postponed.

Some people didn’t even have the opportunity to postpone.

Second Madam Wang looked at Grandmother Jia’s unmoving-as-a-bell appearance and efficiently went to Pear Fragrance Courtyard.

After people left, only Grandmother Jia remained. She tapped the cane in her hand, secretly feeling fortunate—fortunate that Yuanchun hadn’t successfully gone to the Crown Prince’s side back then, otherwise their family would be finished now.

Yuanchun had had no news for a long time, and neither had Yingchun. Grandmother Jia couldn’t help but sigh. Never mind Yuanchun—she was in the palace, certainly unable to send messages now. Yingchun was clearly outside the palace. With her temperament… Grandmother Jia shook her head.

Now the Eighth Prince’s son had been born. Even if she bore a daughter, it would be good. For now, just wait. Although their family stood behind the Crown Prince, it was also the Emperor’s intention at the start. Besides presenting some silver, they hadn’t done anything. The Emperor shouldn’t investigate.

Everyone was paying attention to news from the palace. The princes were no exception.

The Crown Prince was confined by the Emperor in Xian’an Palace. At first, the First Prince supervised him, but he and the Crown Prince were old rivals. Now that the Crown Prince had fallen into misfortune, the people around the Crown Prince were all settled with by the First Prince. One by one they were sent to the interrogation room. Moreover, the Crown Prince’s channels of appeal were also forbidden. Supposedly the Crown Prince was also mistreated. Not knowing whether the Emperor knew, feeling dissatisfied, the Fourth Prince therefore received a task—to jointly supervise the Crown Prince.

The Fourth Prince: “…”

Was this supervising the Crown Prince? Or watching that Elder Brother didn’t go too far?

Regardless of his inner feelings, he went to Xian’an Palace and discovered the Crown Prince’s residence was empty of all things. In the cold weather, forget charcoal fires—even thick clothing was insufficient. What he ate was also cold rice and cold dishes. With no one attending him, Second Brother’s body was cold as frost, already running a high fever.

If something happened to him, he would definitely be implicated.

The Fourth Prince had people send clothing and hot food, also had people fetch medicine pills. The First Prince sneered: “Fourth Brother, what good person are you playing now?” Back then the Crown Prince had kicked him down from the steps, causing him to faint. Previously, because of the distinction between sovereign and subject, he didn’t dare make a sound—could his heart truly have no grievance at all?

The Fourth Prince acted as if he hadn’t heard: “Elder Brother, this is my duty.”

After returning, he wrote a secret memorial truthfully reporting everything, including the First Prince’s wild words that he could behead the former Crown Prince on the Emperor’s behalf. Before long, the Emperor’s words that the First Prince’s temperament was hot-tempered and foolish, how could he be established as Crown Prince, spread. This thoroughly severed the First Prince’s path of succession.

Without doubt, the First Prince and the forces behind him were severely struck, but he quickly rallied and pushed forward the Eighth Prince: “The diviner Zhang Mingde said that Eighth Brother will certainly be greatly honored.”

Hearing this, the Emperor’s face remained impassive, but afterward he had Nine Gates Admiral Tuoheqi arrest Zhang Mingde. Later the Third Prince came to report the First Prince: “Through the Mongolian lama Bahangelong and others, he used sorcery against the Crown Prince…”

Hearing this, the Emperor was enraged to the point of illness. The hand beneath his sleeve trembled. Before long, the previously illustrious First Prince was also confined, and permanently confined at that.

The two people previously most likely to ascend to the throne now both seemed to have no chance.

The Third Prince now held the advantage of being eldest, then there was the Eighth Prince who’d inherited the First Prince’s forces. He already had a reputation for virtue—now this reputation spread even wider. Many people defected to him, clearly a strong competitor for the next Crown Prince position.

Grandmother Jia was beside herself with joy over this. Even Jia She, Jia Lian and others were pleased. Fortunately, they hadn’t agreed to defect to the First Prince before. Now the Emperor had also dealt with him. Instead, the Eighth Prince rose up. If he truly won, Yingchun was designated there by the Emperor. When he ascended the throne, conferring a consort position wouldn’t be excessive, right?

Jia Lian: “Should we make some gesture?”

Wang Xifeng: “Using the reason of sending things to Yingchun?”

Jia Lian: “That works, that works. This is appropriate anyway. Hurry up.”

Right now the Eighth Prince was in high demand. If they went late, that wouldn’t be good.

While they were happy there, Second Madam Wang’s face was pulled extremely long.

If it was like this, she’d rather the one ascending to the throne be the Third Prince.

…

One scene after another was performed, dazzling the eyes. Seeing the atmosphere in the capital relax somewhat, Yun Shuyao prepared to set out.

These major court matters originally had no connection to her, so she was very calm about the current turmoil. Although she didn’t know exactly when, the twice-deposing of the Crown Prince incident in the Kangxi reign was still quite famous. Now the Crown Prince was deposed, but afterward he would return to the Crown Prince position, then it would be him—

Remaining in the capital, Yun Shuyao had nothing to do anyway. Better to go to Baili County. The time written in the “Illustrated Catalog of a Hundred Things” was approaching. If no one else knew about it, going there she might catch it just right.

She also had a proper reason for going to Baili County. She had Father help buy a manor, sent many seeds there—grain seeds and also some fruit tree saplings. Going now to check on them was reasonable.

Her daughter-in-law had taken over household management and passed the initial hand-wringing chaos period. Moreover, Lin Daiyu was beside her helping out.

When daughter-in-law managed the household, the child was sent to the Old Madam’s place. The Old Madam helped watch him. When she finished being busy, she would bring the child back.

Having daughter-in-law take over household management was proper and appropriate. The Old Madam wished she could hold her great-grandson in the palm of her hand, wishing she could bring the child to her side to see him at any time. Now like this, both their needs could be satisfied.

Yun Shuyao naturally also loved this child. Blood ties—how could she not like him?

Somewhat reluctant, ultimately still fearing changes might occur, she left according to the original plan.

In this aspect, Yun Shuyao felt the Lin family was quite open-minded. If she wanted to go out, as long as the reason was acceptable, they wouldn’t stop her.

Chen Yu wasn’t very at ease about her going to Baili County by herself. If he didn’t need to go to the Hanlin Academy daily, he would have wanted to accompany her.

However, after speaking with the Yun family side, those two sisters-in-law would also bring their children along together. He felt much more at ease. Although Yiniang’s martial ability was outstanding, this was still traveling far from home. Having people mutually caring for each other was naturally better.

Yun Shuyao hadn’t been to Baili County. Yun Heng and Yun Yan had both taken their children there. The two sisters-in-law had also gone several times.

They departed separately from their respective homes, then converged together after leaving the capital gates.

Yun Shuyao had two younger brothers. Her eldest younger brother married Chen Shi and had one son and one daughter. The son Yun Wei was twelve this year, the daughter Yun Ling eight.

Her second younger brother married Yang Shi and had two daughters and one son. The eldest daughter Yun Qi was ten this year, the second daughter Yun Lin eight this year, and the son Yun Xu six this year.

Now they’d brought all the children. With their departure, only the two younger brothers remained at home. There was nothing to worry about—grown to this age, it wasn’t as if they couldn’t care for themselves. They wouldn’t go for too long.

From the capital to Baili County, if riding fast horses all the way, would take one day. Their group had women and young children—naturally they couldn’t travel too urgently. This round trip on the road alone would take four days. Yun Shuyao’s plan was to stay a few days in Baili County then have results. If smooth, within ten days they could return to the capital.

Many high officials in the capital had bought land in Baili County. Who told them the land around the capital had long been completely parceled out? Therefore, this route was smooth, without bandits.

She had one carriage to herself. The two sisters-in-law with children each had one carriage. However, not long after, Chen Shi brought her son during rest time to board Yun Shuyao’s carriage to talk with her.

Of the two sisters-in-law, Yun Shuyao had more exchanges with Chen Shi and was more familiar with her, because Second Sister-in-law and several children only moved to the capital after Second Younger Brother passed the jinshi examination. Previously they’d stayed with their parents.

She said she wanted to come chat. At first Yun Shuyao thought it was just idle conversation to pass time, but afterward Chen Shi had Yun Wei return to his own carriage. Yun Shuyao knew—she had other words to say.

What couldn’t be said in front of Yun Wei?

Thinking of Yun Wei’s age, Yun Shuyao guessed.

What Chen Shi wanted to say was indeed this.

The Yun family were Han Chinese and needn’t participate in selection. At this age, betrothals could be arranged.

“Elder Sister, the child has reached the age. We’ve looked at some families for him, all with some insufficiency.”

Either they had some prince behind them, or the family elders or the girl herself had inappropriate aspects. The husband and wife looked around and around but couldn’t find a satisfactory match. That’s why they thought to ask elder sister-in-law to help look.

The Lin family’s connections were broader than the Yun family’s.

Chen Shi: “We know our own affairs and haven’t thought of climbing high. We understand the principle of high families marrying down and low families marrying up. It’s just that Wei’er is the eldest grandson of our line. In the future, he’ll need to establish the household. The choice of his wife requires more caution.”

Yun Shuyao understood: “I’ll remember this matter. He’s still young—we can search slowly.”

Chen Shi smiled bitterly: “I understand. It’s just that good families’ daughters mostly become betrothed at this age. Too late, they’ll all be betrothed.”

Yun Shuyao couldn’t help but sigh. Indeed: “I’ll have Wanxin pay more attention.”

Chen Shi smiled and thanked her, then began pouring out grievances to Yun Shuyao. Although the Yun family didn’t have families with prominent official positions, the Yun family had illustrious relatives, and there was Luo Yu who’d entered a prince’s manor. Inevitably they were drawn into the vortex, even if only the vortex’s edge—not something ordinary people could escape unscathed from.

“Elder Sister, Husband’s meaning is if there’s a suitable opportunity for external posting, do you think it’s appropriate?”

This meant wanting to avoid the capital’s chaos.

Yun Shuyao: “I’ll ask when I return.”

Seeing she agreed without a second word, Chen Shi’s heart relaxed. The family had mentioned many times to try not to trouble this elder sister-in-law, to resolve matters themselves. They’d also done so, but now the capital was turbulent with rising winds and surging clouds. For them to avoid it wasn’t difficult—only the place to go required careful consideration.

Not all places could avoid this vortex.

Arriving at Baili County, the Lin family and Yun family carriages separated. Yun Shuyao went to the Lin manor’s estate. She’d brought many things. Tomorrow she’d go to the Yun family. The Yun family carriages naturally went straight to Yun Manor.

Arriving at the estate, the servants received notice in advance and were already waiting. The place where she would stay had also been tidied in advance. Yun Shuyao could move right in.

Naturally this estate wasn’t very exquisite, but the place was clean enough, orderly enough—this was sufficient.

The next day, Yun Shuyao brought gifts to see her parents. Song Shi smiled like a blooming flower.

Grandchildren by her side, daughter also come—she looked up and down, discovering nothing amiss. Satisfied, she looked at her daughter, then looked back at daughter-in-law, grandchildren. Family happiness was just like this.

Being together with Song Shi, they spoke of household matters. Then Yun Shuyao and Yun Qingliang went to the study. Having servants leave, opening doors and windows, they discussed court matters.

Yun Qingliang was full of worry: “So many things have happened in the capital recently. Are you all well?” He used his finger to gesture a four. “Does he have any movements on his side?”

Now the First Prince and Second Prince had no possibility. It was reduced to Third Prince and Fourth Prince. Though Imperial Consort De was born a bondservant, later she was raised from bondservant status. Now she was even one of the Four Consorts. Most importantly, the Fourth Prince had been raised by Lady Tong. Before her death, she was conferred as Empress. Then the Fourth Prince held half a legitimate son’s status—could be called noble.

The Eighth Prince needn’t be mentioned. He now accepted the First Prince’s strength, plus his reputation for virtue was widespread—he had the highest acclaim.

However, the Fourth Prince’s reputation in court wasn’t very good, nor had he revealed ambitions to compete for the succession.

Compared to the Third Prince receiving civil officials’ support and the Eighth Prince’s being all things to all people, the Fourth Prince’s possibility wasn’t very high.

Yun Shuyao only said one sentence: “Father, imperial family matters are uncertain. I’ve heard the Emperor often mentions the Crown Prince.”

At first Yun Qingliang didn’t understand, but afterward he nodded thoughtfully.

The Crown Prince was personally raised by the Emperor. The effort and emotion poured into him exceeded all his sons. Now although the Crown Prince was confined, his forces hadn’t been damaged much.

Could the Emperor regret deposing the Crown Prince?

But even if he regretted it, the Emperor had already deposed him.

After using the meal, Yun Shuyao proposed going to Yaoluo Temple to offer incense, asking Song Shi and them whether they would go.

The location marked in the “Illustrated Catalog of a Hundred Things” was in the mountains near Yaoluo Temple. She only needed the excuse of going there to offer incense, then while strolling around afterward, if her route deviated a bit, she should be able to find it.

As long as there really was a spiritual plant, Yun Shuyao believed at such close distance there should be no problem.

Song Shi didn’t suspect: “The plum blossoms near Yaoluo Temple have opened. We can go admire the plum blossoms…”

Yun Shuyao went for three consecutive days, viewing all the scenery around Yaoluo Temple. Smoothly in a hidden stone pool, she found a blooming lotus. That stone pool had been set with an illusion by that monk and Taoist. She’d expended great effort to break it. After guarding for three days, she successfully harvested nine lotus seeds.

She consumed these nine lotus seeds in sequence. After eating the last one, Yun Shuyao’s supernatural ability successfully broke through the seventh-level barrier.

If she went all out, within one day she could催生 rice and wheat through several cycles.

This was the effect of heavenly treasures and earthly bounty. No wonder so many people exhausted their thoughts for these treasures. If she honestly took one step at a time, to rise to level seven would conservatively require ten years.

But now, consuming one correct spiritual plant—only a few days needed.

If she knew how to refine pills, the effect would be even better. Now consuming them directly, according to what the “Illustrated Catalog of a Hundred Things” said, was somewhat like an ox chewing peonies.

But even as an ox chewing peonies, Yun Shuyao didn’t know how, also didn’t know any pill-refining routes—could only do this.

Moreover, after the supernatural ability level became higher, Yun Shuyao could feel the supernatural ability and cultivation had some commonalities.

Afterward, Yun Shuyao went around the estate’s fields twice, selecting quite a few quality wheat seeds.

The wheat planted here all used seeds she’d sent over. They performed somewhat better than ordinary wheat, but still the old situation—performance not outstanding enough, and traits also unstable.

Then she used the pool water from the stone pool where the lotus was located, trying again using her supernatural ability to stimulate growth. She discovered these wheat plants were taller than wheat seeds she’d previously stimulated, root stems thicker and sturdier, fruits produced fuller. Compared to non-optimized wheat, the fruit one stalk produced could increase by about thirty percent!

That stone pool water looked utterly ordinary, but actually was also good stuff. Yun Shuyao naturally wouldn’t miss it—using the storage bag, she collected quite a bit.

She decided to repeatedly use this stone pool water to nurture wheat, see if these performance traits could stabilize. After withdrawing supernatural ability provision, could they continue to extend? Additionally, she needed to see comprehensive factors like lodging resistance, pest resistance, weather, etc. If all could pass, this would be the improved variety she wanted.

Yun Shuyao couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. After such a long time, she’d expended so much effort—the improved variety’s enhanced characteristics had advantages but weren’t outstanding enough. Now finally she saw hope.

On the return journey, Yun Shuyao’s mood was pleasant. She brought back many things to the capital. However, if others knew what she brought now, they would definitely find it strange, because what she brought wasn’t any specialty products or gifts, but wheat—and also water contained in jars.

Returning to the capital, Chen Yu who greeted her saw these things: “…”

Bringing wheat was one thing, but also bringing water—what new hobby of Yiniang’s was this?